Betty Crocker In Dante’s Inferno

Chapter 8

Marine Occupation of Beirut

“I used to love visiting the Marine spokesmen just for the opportunity to munch on their baked goods, although, I have to admit, the practice always left me feeling strangely out of sync with the wider Beirut environment, as though I were nibbling on Betty Crocker brownies in Dante’s Inferno. I always half expected one of these brownies to blow up in my hand.” (190)

The Marines in Beirut

Marines pull out early The Marines were issued to remain in Beirut for 30 days on August 25, 1982.

Their mission was “to facilitate the PLO’s withdrawal [from Beirut]” (190.) The accomplished this mission two weeks ahead of schedule and pulled out

early.

Israel Invades• The following

September Lebanon’s president elect Bashir Gemayel was assassinated and Israel invaded West Beirut

• Americans feel guilty for pulling out early, so they returned to help Lebanese government restore sovereignty

Beirut Barracks Bombing

Two trucks bombs drove into the BLT buildingMarines were unprepared to defend against suicide car bombers

Reagan Administration “By blindly supporting

Amin Gemayel, by allowing Israel a virtually free hand to invade Lebanon with American arms and by not curtailing Israel’s demands for a peace treaty with Beirut, the Reagan Administration had tipped the scales in favor of… the Maronites” (204)

Check point manned by Lebanese troops and US Marines